Speed cameras go up Monday near Howard County schools

Police to post list of locations

Drivers in Howard County will begin to see speed cameras near schools starting Monday, when county police begin a program aimed at slowing motorists near the more than 100 schools in the county.

Police will post an online weekly list of streets where the movable cameras will be placed, warning drivers to expect to see one of the two cameras there on a weekday.

"They will always be posted a week in advance," said Sherry Llewellyn, a police spokeswoman.

For the first month, owners of cars traveling at least 12 mph over the speed limit will be issued warnings. After that, the vehicle's owner will be mailed a $40 citation.

Streets near schools have signs up alerting drivers to the possibility of speed cameras.

The devices are being added in response to what police and elected officials described as frequent complaints about excessive speed near schools. The cameras must be located near schools under a county law passed in May. Enforcement can take place between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"Our goal is to have people slow down," Llewellyn said. "We want people to know that there are cameras and that they move."

With two cameras, no more than 20 locations can be targeted each week, though the law allows up to eight cameras. The first month of locations on the website includes Centennial Lane and Ilchester Road. The list is available through howardcountymd.gov/speedcameras.htm.

Several other metropolitan counties and Baltimore City have speed cameras. Howard County officials expect the program to take in $1.2 million its first year and cost about $250,000. Additional revenue would go to public safety programs, according to the law.

The citations are civil violations, Llewellyn said.

The vehicle's owner gets no points on his or her driver's license. The owner may contest the citation in Howard County District Court. Failure to pay the fine or show up in court will result in the registration being flagged by the Motor Vehicle Administration, blocking renewal of license plates.

The program will be run by six police employees headed by Frederick von Briesen, a retired officer who will serve as speed camera administrator. The speed camera equipment and back-office staff will be provided by ACS Inc., a Xerox company based in Dallas that provides business process and information technology services.